Okere Shea Cooperative Society Limited has more than doubled its shea butter exports to the United States, shipping 23 metric tonnes in a consignment flagged off on October 18 that is expected to expand market opportunities for 1,000 women in Northern Uganda. The shipment marks the cooperative's second major export to the US market, following an initial consignment of nine metric tonnes in 2025, representing an increase of approximately 156 per cent in export volume. The shea butter will be supplied to US-based buyers Forested and Bansk Beauty for use in cosmetics and skincare products.
The latest consignment was processed at Okere City in Otuke District using approximately 50 metric tonnes of shea nuts supplied by women from Otuke and neighbouring Agago District. Ojok Okello, founder and chief executive officer of Okere City, said the growing export business demonstrated the potential of local agro-processing to create income-generating opportunities for rural communities. "This is not simply a container of shea butter leaving Northern Uganda for America. It is a container carrying the hard work, sacrifices, hopes, and determination of 1,000 rural women," Okello said.
Established in 2019, Okere Shea Cooperative processes Nilotica shea nuts into butter, helping producers earn more from value addition rather than relying solely on selling raw nuts. For generations, women in Northern Uganda have collected shea nuts to supplement household incomes, but limited processing capacity and restricted access to organised markets have constrained the resource's commercial potential. The cooperative has invested in processing equipment, farmer mobilisation and quality assurance to meet international market requirements and expand its export business.
Despite growing demand, the enterprise faces significant challenges including high transportation costs, unreliable electricity, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to affordable financing. Okello called for increased investment from the government and development partners in rural agro-processing, transport infrastructure and affordable financing to help local enterprises access international markets. He also urged farmers in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions to conserve mature shea trees, plant seedlings and organise themselves into producer groups to improve market access and strengthen their bargaining power. According to the cooperative, growing demand for Nilotica shea butter could encourage communities to protect shea trees while generating additional income from the resource.